Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you already know all about Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Across America. In short, the brewery has invited every craft brewer in the nation to a massive road trip across the United States. They’re starting in Chico, Calif., the site of the original Sierra Nevada brewery, on Friday, July 18, and ending in Mills River where the new facility is slated to come online on Sunday, Aug. 3.
Brewgrass, the original Asheville beer fest is officially back for its 18th year. Tickets are now on sale for the Sept. 20 event, to be held at Memorial Field, at brewgrassfestival.com. In years past, there was little but Bele Chere when it came to Asheville festivals ahead of Brewgrass in the hot summer months. But […]
In Colorado, Oskar Blues has plenty of side-projects. There’s CHUBurger, which is their take on a fast-casual burger joint. There’s Cyclhops, a bike cantina, where they combine a taco and tequila restaurant with REEB Cycles, their own brand of bikes. There’s the Bonewagon, a smokehouse on wheels. And they even have a farm, dubbed Hops & Heifers, where they grow hops and raise cows on spent brewing grain for their restaurants.
In late June, David Paul Seymour — the man who creates all of Burial Beer’s artwork — started posting pictures of can designs for Scythe Rye Pale Ale on Instagram. While Burial’s closest thing to a flagship is certainly popular, the idea of it in a can is forward thinking to say the least. Burial […]
When Hi-Wire Brewing opened last summer, they pretended a circus was coming to town. The owners made sure that everyone who kept an eye on the beer scene knew something was about to happen, but they didn’t give much away ahead of time. Then, after weeks of hype, Hi-Wire revealed its big surprise: It would package its beers in 12-ounce bottles, just like Highland and Green Man, and sell them in six-packs right out of the gate.
Asheville Beer Week’s Just Brew It! Homebrew Festival is one of the most interesting events of the year. All stripes of homebrewers showcase all sorts of beer, with no commercial constraints (you know, like worrying if anyone is willing to buy it). So if a brewer is passionate about classic styles, she might serve a stellar Belgian Golden Strong or Altbier. The IPA-obsessed keep multiple taps of hoppy goodness flowing. And of course there are the mad scientists.
Having just celebrated its third birthday, Asheville Beer Week is still a collective experiment: It’s a week-long series of events that will continue to evolve based on what we choose to attend. So perhaps it’s no surprise that in a town as creative as Asheville, we’re starting to see a slew of more creative offerings, where each year has topped the last.
Thirsty Monk’s original downtown location had character built right in. Even in Asheville’s funky downtown, it’s hard to miss a corner building that’s painted bright purple. Both the upstairs bar and the downstairs Belgian bar have their quirks — the latter is literally in the basement — and the entire building has a comically low capacity. So […]
If you’ve ever met Todd Boera, co-owner and brewer at Fonta Flora, you probably remember his foot-long beard. Fittingly the former Catawba head brewer launched his new venture with a beer called, Hop Beard IPA. It has quickly become a taproom favorite.
Two years ago Mike Rangel, co-owner of Asheville Brewing Company, took a trip out west for the San Diego Brewing Convention. While he was there, he visited a brewpub called Pizza Port.
Sure, Oskar Blues is known for their great beer, but founder Dale Katechis has also made a name for the company when it comes to canned beer. It is widely credited as the first craft brewer to package in cans, and it’s been breaking down the stereotype that canned beer = bad beer for more than a decade. Soon, Oskar Blues will take it a step further and be the first U.S. brewery to package “nitro” beer in cans. Those fine, cascading bubbles will now be available in Old Chub, a malt-driven Scottish ale, thanks to a widget inside each can that will release nitrogen when the beer is opened.
There are only a handful of independently owned sake breweries in the United States (fewer than 10 at last count). So adding two within the Asheville city limits — within about a mile of each other, no less — is a pretty big deal.
A new location and a new festival, both featuring sour beer, are on the way from Wicked Weed.
Two new books sure to satisfy homebrewers and beer lovers I could say that Mike Karnowski’s book, Homebrew Beyond the Basics, is easily the best brewing book of the year. Then again, I was his editor. But ask anyone who’s been to Dirty Jack’s since Karnowski took over brewing the specialty beers (everything that’s not […]
Perhaps it was a coincidence that the Sierra Nevada media preview last week felt like the first real day of spring. But after winding up an entryway that will make the Biltmore Estate look over its shoulder, after walking into an entire warehouse where the lights are motion-activated and bags of malt are stacked as […]
Here in Asheville, we’ve long been ahead of the curve when it comes to craft beer. Now the entire state of North Carolina is getting up to speed as our state’s breweries unite in April for a full month of beer-related events. With more than 100 breweries in North Carolina, only New York and Pennsylvania […]
Raise a glass to the father of Asheville craft beer. When Highland Brewing Co. opened in 1994, North Carolina had all of 10 breweries; now there are more than 100. And when Gov. Pat McCrory signed the proclamation for North Carolina Beer Month, which begins April 1, we’d just cracked the list of the top […]
Craft Room Opens in South Asheville If you live within 10 minutes of downtown or West Asheville, there’s no shortage of options for fresh growlers of beer. Bruisin’ Ales stocks an ever-changing selection, Asheville Growler and Appalachian Vintner both fill to order and, of course, there are all the breweries. But head down to Arden […]
When you walk into the Twin Leaf space, it’s clear that the brewing system is the pride and joy. The 10-barrel setup is the first thing you notice. While the rest of the wood-filled taproom is subdued, the brewery tanks shine golden in the evening light. It will no doubt be the envy of many […]
In the latest regional beer news, New Belgium and Riverbend debut their collaboration, Sierra Nevada tests single, fresh, wet and wild; and more.
Big shots from both breweries team up for a night of food, music, and of course, beer in West Asheville on Thursday, July 25.
